Don't Believe the Moviemercials
First came the infomercial, a commercial intended to look like a television program. Then came the moviemercial, a commercial in movie format. However, where infomercials are advertising by companies for their products, moviemercials are advertising by NGOs for their political agendas.

One of the first moviemercials, Syriana, was backed by NRDC. Now Public Citizen is promoting the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?" a conspiracy-oriented film about the supposed death of electric cars.

The biggest problem with the movie is the factually incorrect premise that the electric car is dead. Instead of being deceased, the electric car is alive and racing far beyond reliance on old-fashioned lead-acid batteries.

Tesla Motors has introduced the Tesla Roadster, an electric car powered by lithium-ion batteries that goes from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of over 130 miles/hour – pretty fast for a dead car.

Of greater significance, advances in battery technology are being supported and used by major automakers to develop super-efficient, if less exotic, hybrid cars. Toyota, Ford and other companies are developing hybrid vehicles using lithium-ion batteries.

Who killed the electric car? It's more alive then ever. Who is developing advanced electric technologies to save energy? The world's automotive industry and other technology companies of all sizes.